The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-12-25
CHAPTER XXI.
Who can express the horrors of that night

Who can express the horrors or That night?
-Brdndon.
Pauline watched Virgil as he hurried
down the walk, and as the gate closed be-
hind him she moaned in the anguish of her
heart:
''Shal / ever see him alive agains Shall
ever again hear his lips murmur little sis
terra Oh, if he should be killed! If be
thould be killed! The thought of his mar
rying Florine was hard indeed to bear, but
ra her would see him her husband than to
see him shot down in all the glory of his
young and noble manhood. How sad it
would be to see that magnificent head-that
splendid form-laid aw y in the Dust 1t
would break my heart 1t would cast over the
rest of my life a gloom which nothing
could ever dispel."
Seized with desire to be, alone that she
might pour out her sorrow in the pitying
| ear of God, she silently entered the house
and went up to her room, and there, in its
seclusion, she prayed with all the earnest
ness of her soul that the duel might not
take place For full half an hour she
humbled herself before God in prayer
Then, somewhat Gained, she made a hasty
toilet and descended to the sitting room.
The housekeeper-a motherly faced, mid
dle-aged lady-was the only occupant of the
ROOM
"Where are papa and mamma, Mrs. Win
ston9" inquired Pauline.
''They went out riding about an hour and
half ago, and have not returned" replied
the housekeeper. II am expecting them
back every minute. You have been to see
Florine, haven't your
eyes, ma'am," answered the young lady,
ipdifferently 81 wonder what can keer
papa and mamma out SO lates Suppose the
horse ran away, and some serious accident
has befallen them. Oh. what sad world
this tsp
And in a state of great agitation Pauline
walked to side window. and for an hour
stood gazing vacantly out in the moonlight.
Then, as if awakening from a dream, she
turned to Mrs Winston and, clasping her
hands together, cried piteously:
"Mrs. Winston, something has happened
to papa and mamma! l know it! / feel
it!''
woman, was herself becoming alarmed at
the delay of the tobacconist and his wife
She and Pauline went out on the porch, and
there for more than twenty minutes anxi-
ouSly watched for the coming of the alb
sent ones. At last the phaeton drew up be-
fore the gate, and Mrs. Norris laugh
floated to the ears of the watchers. Pauline
ran down the steps, and meeting her
mother about midway the walk threw
lor etDOub bL0 u6Ck anu DurSt
into a hysterical fit of sobbing.
"Oh, mammal / thought something ter.
rible had happened to you and papa
What kept you out SO late? Where is
papaF"
"He has gone to the stable to carry Tom
ahawk and the phaeton," answered Mrs.
NORRIS 81 am sorry, my dear, you have
suffered so ON our account. You are trenl-
bling like leaf, child. | never saw you
nervous before We went out about $3.50
for short ride, and as we were passing
Mr.. Cartoons on our way home, he and his
wife ran out to meet us and insisted that
we should go in and take tea with them,
and we accepted their invitation. We had
pleasant time. Here is bunch of roses
Charlie requested me to give you'll He is a
dear lit lie fellow, isn't hes"
Eyes ma'am. He is very lovable child.
He reminds me of Milton. l appreciate
Charles gift very highly"
Mrs. Morriss and her daughter repaired at
once to the sitting room.
Mrs. Winston, her tranquility of mind re-
stored by the return OF the tobacconist and
his wife, went up to her chamber.
In few minutes Mr.. Morriss joined his
wife and daughter.
"Papaw exclaimed Pauline, as soon as the
gentleman entered the room, "have you
heard the terrible news9"
"No, my dear. What has happenedr'
''Virgil is going to engage in duel, and,
oh, papa. am so troubled about it that ]
feel as if / shall go madp'
Mr. Morriss looked at his daughter as if
he thought she was already deranged. That
Virgil-the calm, modest lawyer-the hum
Bile, devoted Chl1stian--should think of par
ticipating in duel--seemed incredible 20
the tobacconist Could it be true, or could
his daughters mind have become suddenly
impaired?
"Papa, you look as if you don't believe
what sayg' said the young lady.
''Who is the other principal in the duel p
inquired Mr. Morriss.
Observation-Disclosures Marvin"
MARVIN! Why, never heard Of such a
man before!' and the gentleman looked
fairly alarmed.
He actually shuddered at the thought of
his lovely daughters reason becoming de-
throned. His fears, however, were relieved
when Pauline had related what had occurred.
He and his wife were as greatly agisated as
their daughter. If Virgil had been their
own son. they could not have been more
deeply distressed.
Poor. foolish boyln muttered the gentle
man, rising. II must go at once and reason
with him.
ttVas Phil eyn - said his wife